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Hong Kong Disneyland: It's About Magic and Memories

Everyone I talked to in Hong Kong said Ocean Park is better than Disneyland if you are an adult because the former got more serious and thrilling rides while the latter they say is for kids. So I was like, " I wanna go to Ocean Park" but I was with a friend who's a Disney baby and who's dream is to go to a Disney Theme Park so I was like "ok Disneyland it is then".

I think that's normal. I had lots of trips where I never felt excited about until I was in the process. We got to Disneyland around 11:00 am. My friend suggested to go earlier but I thought I wouldn't have the energy to walk around from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm so I suggested to go a little later. And guess what, muntik nang bitin. And that was still 10 hrs wandering around the park but we hardly noticed the time.

I was not jumpy at first but what happened was a successive buildup of momentum. One show after another, one attraction after the next and I was slowly engulfed in the marvel that is Disney. Sure I grew up with Disney shows and animations but I thought I am not a die hard fan but I figured out that Disney has deeply touched me in many ways I never realized. One by one good memories resurfaced and I was completely immersed into it. Disneyland sure is not about crazy rides but it is about " magic and memories". To be a kid again, to rekindle to childhood dreams and fantasies. Disneyland is more about exciting your senses, it's about touching your heart and soul.

And after that fireworks finale when I was holding back the tears -- the music, the pyrotechnic, the laser show projected on Sleeping Beauty's Castle -- all the beautiful things unfolding in front of my eyes, I realized that I am a Disney baby after all. We all are.

About Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland is located on a reclaimed land in Lantau Island owned and managed byHong Kong International Theme Parks which also operates Ocean Park Hong Kong. Hong Kong Disneyland opened on September 12, 2005.

Hong Kong Disneyland currently occupies 27.5 hectares (68 acres) and hosts 7.92 million to 8.92 million visitors annually. The park has a daily capacity of 34,000 visitors but its capacity will increase to handle up to 10 million visitors annually over a 15-year expansion period. The park attracted 5.2 million visitors in its first year, below its target of 5.6 million. Visitor numbers fell 20% in the second year to 4 million however, the park attendance jumped by 8% in the third year, attracting a total of 4.5 million visitors in 2007.

How To Get To Hong Kong Disneyland
All modes of transportation is available whether you are coming from the airport or downton Hong Kong Island, taxi is the most convenient but pricey. So there is a bus option which is cheaper but I personally recommend taking the train. Take MTR to Sunny Bay and from there transfer to the Disney Line. It is part of the fun experience riding a Disney-themed train. And when you get to the station in Disney Resort, the magic starts.

Adventureland
Tomorrowland
Grizzly Gulch
Mystic Point and
Toy Story Land.

For adults. You can skip on other sections as they are more for kids. My favorites other than Main Street USA where you feel like being in a completely different and place street, Tomorrowland is where you should focus on.

Iron Man Experience
This is where indoor attractions Iron Man Experience and Star Wars are located. The two are part of my Top 3 Best Attractions in Disneyland Hong Kong with the fireworks display as the best. We were lucky because the former two are new attractions here with Iron Man Experience opening just last December if I am not mistaken. Iron Man Experience is a visual treat. They did a good job mapping out Hong Kong geography and skyline in 3D and you can really feel like flying around tall buildings of Hong Kong via jet while some sinister robots try to blow it up and with Iron Man saving the day.

Star Wars Tomorrowland Takeover
Star Wars Tomorrowland Takeover on the other hand satisfied my crave for rides. You are in this indoor roller coaster and you go through a cave so dark you cannot see anything but the projections on the wall of star and spaceships shooting on your vessel. The visuals and sound effects are so convincing and since it is dark and you cannot see the track you fell surprised whenever the coaster makes the twist and turns. This is my 2nd most favorite attraction here.

Celebrated My Birthday in Disneyland!

And of course I should mention that I was here on my birthday. Yes, a special day indeed made even more memorable. I went to information and mentioned that it was my birthday and they gave me this cool badge to commemorate it!

Mickey and the Wondrous Book
Least I forget. Mickey and the Wondrous Book. Set in a big theater so everybody got accommodated despite the long line for the last show. We were seated at the back though. Should have been more fun if we were closer to the stage. The funny part is that Mickey and the other characters talk in Mandarin! Ahahahaha. We had to rely on an electronic board on the side of the stage to know what they were talking about. The singing of course in English. We noticed that most of the performers especially dancers were Southeast-Asian-looking, most probably Filipinos. Filipinos are some of the finest entertainers in the world you know. It set the mood for the fireworks finale as the show was very entertaining. Other than the lively songs/dances and the cartoon characters everybody loves , the stage is very animated. I was surprised at how a stage can change lights and appearance that way depending on the scene.

Fireworks Display
And down to my favorite. The reason we did not go on opening because we wanted to make sure we van last until the park closes at 9:00 pm. I am.not sure if this is a daily thing but Jan 21 happened to be Saturday and there was a grand pyromusical at the backdrop of Sleeping Beauty's Castle and the edifice served as a big screen projecting Disney characters everybody's familiar with. It was a visual treat made even more festive because everybody's gathered in front of the castle. And with the song "

Special thanks to my friend Rupert for encouraging me to go to Hong Kong Disneyland. The 1st time I was in Hong Kong it was not the priority for me. The 2nd time around I realized I didn't know what I have been missing all along. ^^